Home Rewiring

If you live in an older home, you are sure to have been exploring your options for upgrades and renovations that will add to the value of the house and increase its function. Considering all of the advances in appliances and electronic devices, few upgrades can change your house and lifestyle at home more than a home rewiring project. Finally, you will be able to consider that home theater system you have always wanted, and upgrading your HVAC system is now a very real possibility. But first, you want to know more about what it will take to turn your old bungalow or rancher into your modern dream home.

What Does A Rewiring Project Involve?

The name of this project misleads many homeowners. They assume that it involves nothing more than updating the electrical wires in a home. However, it actually includes upgrading the electrical panel and circuit breakers. Once the project is completed, your home’s electrical system will be ready to handle the increased demand of modern appliances and electronics without annoying and dangerous issues like flickering lights and an overheated electrical panel.

Are You Living In The Past Because Of When Your Home Was Built?

The age of your home will have a significant impact on the electrical service you are accustomed to using. For example, if the house was built prior to the mid-1950s and has not been upgraded since construction, the electrical service is likely 60 AMPS. In the late 50s, it became standard to install 100 AMP electrical service. However, the current standard is 200 AMP service for a residence. So if you have a pre-1950s charmer with little or no upgrades, you are living with about 25% of the electrical service of a new home. Making the upgrade to current standards will be life-altering for you, your appliances, and the safety of your home.

Will This Project Destroy My House?

If your home has an attic, basement, or both, the rewiring project is far less invasive and destructive. Even a small crawl space can be helpful when rewiring. However, if your home has none of these features, it is still possible to rewire without total destruction of the drywall and floors. In some cases, access holes are cut in the top or bottom of the walls to pull the wire from one location to the next. In other homes, it is simpler to remove a strip of drywall near the floor to access and move the wire. The size of your home, access to the walls and wiring, and the additions to the upgraded electrical system will all have a hand in determining the time required to rewire your Minneapolis/St. Paul home. Ideally, this project is completed during a renovation or home addition when the walls and wiring will be exposed as other trades complete their portion of the project. However, it is can also be done as an independent project.

Call 612-236-9052 to speak with the licensed electricians at Lumberjack Electric and learn more about the process of rewiring your home and upgrading the electrical service and safety to current standards.